Is it Time for Quantification in Amyloid Imaging in Clinical Practice?
Educational objectives:
Summary:
Amyloid imaging is a powerful tool for the assessment of patients with dementia and suspected Alzheimer's disease. However, the use of amyloid scans in clinical setting is challenged by potential pitfalls mainly related to the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the radioligands. The uptake in the white matter is a sensitive issue to be carefully considered, particularly for the more lipophilic tracers. To overcome possible problems in the interpretation of the amyloid scans, it is important to take into account different aspects such as image reorientation, scaling and quantification biases such as attenuation and partial volume effect. This CME will focus on the relevant issues related to the use of amyloid imaging for diagnostic purposes. The importance of quantification and tracer optimization will be discussed, as potential ways to achieve the best diagnostic outcome in the clinical setting.
Key Words:
Amyloid Plaques, PET, Radioligands, Quantification, Imaging Biomarkers